BOLD FAITH
Sunday Worship Sermon

OCTOBER 25, 2009 - “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (Mark 10:52b)

In today’s Gospel reading:

Jesus was passing through Jericho and a blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting by the road.

Bartimaeus heard that it was Jesus who was coming and Bartimaeus yelled out, “have mercy on me.”

Many in the crowd sternly ordered Bartimaeus to be quiet, but he cried our even more loudly, “have mercy on me.”

Then Jesus stopped and sent for Bartimaeus. Some encouraged Bartimaeus to take heart because Jesus was calling him.

Bartimaeus immediately went to Jesus. Jesus asked him what he wanted and Bartimaeus replied, “Let me see again.”

Jesus gave Bartimaeus his sight and then Bartimaeus followed him.

Now let’s look a bit closer at each part of the story.

Jesus was passing through Jericho and a blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting by the road.

Jesus had completed his ministry in Galilee. Recently, he had just told his disciples, for a third time, that he was going to die and be raised again. In fact he was on the very journey from Galilee to Jerusalem that would end in this fate. The road to Jerusalem passed through Jericho, located about 20 miles from Jerusalem. Jesus had his disciples with him. There were many others that joined the journey also travelling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. And as the pilgrims passed thorough Jericho people on the streets would have stopped to watch as Jesus and the others passed. It was amidst this great crowd that a blind beggar named Bartimaeus sat by the road.

Jesus is present with us on our journey through life also. Close to us as we live out our lives. And like Bartimaeus, we have crises in our lives also. And in the midst of the crises it can sometimes feel like much of the world just goes about their business with hardly anyone noticing us and what is going on in our lives.

Bartimaeus heard that it was Jesus who was coming and Bartimaeus yelled out, “have mercy on me.”

Bartimaeus must have known about Jesus and his extraordinary powers. When he found out Jesus was about to pass by, Bartimaeus yelled out to him, “have mercy on me.” We know of Jesus also. But do we know him well enough that we speak to him each day and call upon him early on in times of trouble? Do we spend time in prayer and meditation trying so that we are clear on what it is that we need to “yell out to Jesus.”

Many in the crowd sternly ordered Bartimaeus to be quiet, but he cried our even more loudly, “have mercy on me.”

Some people get annoyed with us when we try to do the right thing. The tell us to be quiet and not rock the boat. How much do we allow other people to influence us in avoiding what we need to do to uphold ourselves and others? The crowd was stern, and ordered Bartimaeus to stop but his faith was in God and he would not allow the crowd to dissuade him.

Then Jesus stopped and sent for Bartimaeus. Some encouraged Bartimaeus to take heart because Jesus was calling him.

Jesus heard the sincerity of Bartimaeus’ plea for help. He knew Bartimaeus’ faith, and knew it came from his heart. And so Jesus stopped, which would have caused the whole crowd around him to stop also. Jesus sent one of his disciples over to Bartimaeus. Jesus sends other people into our lives also, and speaks to us through them telling us to “take heart.”

Bartimaeus immediately went to Jesus. Jesus asked him what he wanted and Bartimaeus replied, “Let me see again.”

Bartimaeus immediately went to Jesus because he already had a relationship with him; he already had put his faith in Jesus. Notice what Jesus says, “Bartimaeus, what do you want.” Jesus knows what he needs but he wants Bartimaeus to express this need. He wants Bartimaeus to say, “I want to see again.” Jesus also says to us, “What do you want?” I doing so he is trying to help us be clear about what our true needs really are. Bartimaeus had come to the point where he was clear about his need: he wanted his sight back. Jesus is working with us also to get to the point where we are clear about our needs.

Jesus gave Bartimaeus his sight and then Bartimaeus followed him.

Jesus gave Bartimaeus his physical sight, but also more; he gave him increased spiritual sight. And then Bartimaeus followed Jesus to Jerusalem. This is the goal of God’s work through Jesus – to get us to follow him.

For Bartimaeus, this all started with a grain of faith. The bible says that faith can be as small as a mustard seed, the tiniest of seeds. God will work with that. He did with Bartimaeus and he does with us also. Somewhere along the way that tiny seed of faith grew enough to allow Bartimaeus to know that Jesus is the one who cares for us and that it was Jesus he needed to call out to.

If you do not have a relationship with Christ this day, begin to have one. Ask him for help. When you pray, just have a conversation with him and watch what happens. If you already have a relationship with him take it to the next level. Take time to look back over your life and reflect to see how Jesus has been working with you in it. And use this to be even more bold in your faith.

Like the pilgrims going to Passover that day, Jesus is on life’s journey with us this day. Walking with us to listen, encourage, and attend to our needs.

Amen.

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